NFL | Tom Brady contends he will be ready to play in opener

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady says he will be ready for the New England Patriots' regular-season opener, even if a foot injury keeps him from taking a snap in exhibition games.

Last season's league most valuable player sat out the first three exhibitions and plans to tell coach Bill Belichick he is "feeling great" in hopes of playing in Thursday's final exhibition game at the New York Giants — the team that beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

"I'm hoping I'm always out there," Brady said Monday on his regular weekly appearance on WEEI radio, "and if I don't play, I'll be ready for Kansas City."

The Patriots open the regular season at home against the Chiefs on Sept. 7.

Texans' Williams

probably won't play again

HOUSTON — Houston Texans receiver Harry Williams probably won't play football again after injuring his neck and spine in an exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys, a team physician said.

Dr. Walter Lowe said Williams, 26, is expected to walk again after surgery Sunday in Dallas to fuse and stabilize the cervical spine levels C-2 through C-4, but the severity of the injury makes it "highly unlikely that Harry will return to football."

Williams was hurt in a collision with teammate Nick Ferguson while trying to make a tackle on a kick return in Friday's 23-22 exhibition loss.

Williams spent last season on Houston's practice squad but was expected to play this season.

Stanback hurts shoulder

IRVING, Texas — Dallas receiver Isaiah Stanback, a former Washington Huskies quarterback, separated his left shoulder during Friday's exhibition victory over Houston.

Stanback was injured when he got hit at the end of a 32-yard kickoff return and fumbled to open the second half against the Texans. He had a 44-yard return on the play where Houston's Williams suffered his injury.

Stanback, 24, might miss the start of the season. According to the team's Web site, Stanback said he is regaining movement in the shoulder and should be fine in 7 to 10 days but coach Wade Phillips said he doubts Stanback will play in the Sept. 7 opener at Cleveland.

Meanwhile, Pro Bowl cornerback Terence Newman, who is recovering from a groin injury, was active in practice and is expected to play in the Cowboys' opener.

Notes

• After losing Osi Umenyiora, a Pro Bowl defensive end, for the season, the Giants are looking for replacements. They moved Mathias Kiwanuka back to end from his strongside-linebacker spot. Team officials also contacted Tony Agnone, agent for Michael Strahan.

Strahan, 36, a seven-time Pro Bowl performer for the Giants, announced his retirement in June. He is visiting Greece, Agnone said.

• Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, a two-time league MVP, reportedly might be activated today. Manning is not expected to play in Thursday's exhibition finale against Cincinnati

Manning had surgery July 14 to have an infected bursa sac removed from his left knee and has been on the physically unable to perform list.

• Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano announced Chad Pennington won the competition against Chad Henne for the job as starting quarterback. Pennington was traded to Miami by the New York Jets after they acquired Brett Favre, a three-time league MVP, in a trade with Green Bay.

• Meanwhile, Favre said he wants to play in the Jets' exhibition finale Thursday in Philadelphia. He said he will speak to coach Eric Mangini about getting in for a series or two. "I would assume that he'll probably say no, and if that's the case, so be it," Favre said.

• Washington defensive end Jason Taylor, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, sprained his right knee during Saturday's 47-3 exhibition loss to Carolina and team officials estimated he would be sidelined from 10 to 14 days. Washington opens Sept. 4 against the Giants.

Ex-Dolphin Taylor has started 130 consecutive regular-season games.

• Carolina receiver Jason Carter will miss the season with a torn ligament in his right knee.

• Kansas City signed ex-Dolphins kicker Jay Feely, 32, to a one-year contract.

• Players cut by the Denver Broncos included receiver Samie Parker and defensive tackle Josh Mallard.

The Broncos announced Nate Williams has won the starting middle-linebacker job. Williams beat out ex-Seahawk Niko Koutouvides, who signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract in March.

• Tennessee receiver Brandon Jones, 25, apologized in court in Nashville, Tenn., for accidentally carrying a handgun into an airport and could have the misdemeanor charge expunged after six months in a diversion plan. His attorney, David Raybin, said Jones also paid a $500 fine after his court appearance concerning the June incident.

• Frank Cornish IV, 40, an offensive lineman on two Dallas championship teams in the 1990s, died Saturday in Grapevine, Texas. His death was caused by heart disease.